''And it'll be talking non-stop,'' ACT co-ordinator Shirley Bischelberger said.

The Shirley Club was formed in 1996 in Western Australia by Shirley Brown, who was meeting with a couple of other friends called Shirley. They came up with the idea of inviting other Shirleys to join the fun and approached local media to get the word out.

''And, as I say, the rest is history,'' Mrs Bischelberger said.

There are now clubs around Australia, New Zealand and the United States. Members meet once every two years for a national convention, with Canberra selected as the venue this time to coincide with the city's centenary.

The convention, from September 13 to 16, has 150 Shirleys registered, with 182 Shirleys signed up for the dinner dance on the Saturday night. Three Shirleys are coming from the US. The Shirleys will visit local attractions such as Floriade and the War Memorial and enjoy their convention traditions, including skit night.

''It's always a cackle,'' Mrs Bischelberger said. ''The conventions are a hoot, they really are. We're all fun-loving girls. We like having a good time. Our motto is, 'Fun, Food and Friendship' and, I tell you … they live up to it.''

The only requirement for membership is to be named Shirley. It can be a last name, which opens it up to males but Mrs Bischelberger said, inevitably, the members were female and first-name Shirleys. Sometimes Shirl.

''All my family calls me Shirl,'' the 64-year-old grandmother from Conder said. ''A lot of the girls don't like 'Shirl' but I don't mind. As long as you don't call me late for dinner.''

The Shirleys do tolerate ''Non-Shirleys''. To an extent. One member joked that Non-Shirleys should be allowed to speak occasionally at conventions.

''Maybe one short sentence every decade or so,'' she wrote on the club's website.

The ACT branch of The Shirley Club, formed in 2001, has 32 members aged 55 to 90 who meet once a month for outings.

''It's a get-together,'' Mrs Bischelberger said. ''All we have in common is the same name. We come from all walks of life, all ages.''

But there does appear to be something intrinsically decent attached to a Shirley. Have you ever met a nasty Shirley? It is a name that belongs to another, perhaps more honourable era.

The club says it did establish a new category for Guinness World Records for the biggest ''Same Name Gathering'' at its 2001 convention in Alice Springs. That record was eclipsed in 2005 when 1096 Mohammeds gathered in Dubai. And, sadly, as time marches on, Mrs Bischelberger doesn't think the Shirleys will beat that record.

''No, they're dwindling down. It's an old name,'' she said.

Despite the joie de vivre of the Shirleys, they also don't suffer fools gladly. When some clown called Kevin (surname not released, one can only speculate) asked if he could join The Shirley Club, he was soon given short shrift.

''No, Kevin (you idiot),'' was the quick,

no-nonsense response. ''Change your name by deed poll and we'll see.''

There is also a Shirley song. Sing it loud and proud next weekend, Canberra.

But think of one all and I'm sure you'll agree

The best name of all is of course - SHIRLEY!